DJ AM Back on Stage for First Time Since Crash

DJ AM was back on the decks for the first time since surviving a fiery plane crash.

The visibly scarred celebrity disc jockey, whose real name is Adam Goldstein, joined Jay-Z at a special concert Wednesday celebrating the reopening of the Hollywood Palladium, the historic venue which once hosted the likes of Frank Sinatra, “The Lawrence Welk Show,” Led Zeppelin and the Emmy Awards on its more than 11,000-square-foot circular wooden floor.

The concert was 35-year-old DJ AM’s first performance since surviving a Sept. 19 plane crash with former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker at the main airport in Columbia, S.C.

Two pilots and two other passengers were killed, including Barker’s assistant, Chris Baker. After the crash, DJ AM received two skin-graft surgeries on his neck and arm.

Before Jay-Z appeared in front of the crowd Wednesday, DJ AM unceremoniously slipped onto stage alongside an eight-piece back-up band. He was lively throughout the concert  scratching, rapping along with Jay-Z and flashing hand gestures throughout the rap mogul’s energetic set. After “Show Me What You Got,” Jay-Z called attention to his “special guest.”

“Make some noise for DJ AM tonight,” Jay-Z said before also giving a shout out to Barker and the crash victims.

Many audience members clamored to see the packed show from VIP sections in the Palladium’s two balconies overlooking the main floor. After closing last year, the venue received a $20-million renovation and is being leased by the concert promotion company Live Nation. The makeover included restored chandeliers, several new exits and wheelchair ramps.

DJ AM is also scheduled to resume his residency at Caesars Palace’s Pure nightclub in Las Vegas next Tuesday.